I. ˈsīəˌnīd, -_nə̇d noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary cyan- + -ide
1. : a compound of cyanogen usually with a more electropositive element or radical : a salt or ester of hydrocyanic acid — see nitrile
2.
a. : potassium cyanide
b. : sodium cyanide
II. -ˌnīd transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to treat with a cyanide: as
a. : to subject to the cyanide process
b. : to treat (iron or steel) by immersion in molten cyanide in order to produce a hard surface by causing carbon and nitrogen to be taken up in a thin outer layer — see case harden
c. : to fumigate (as greenhouses or flour) with hydrogen cyanide gas